Press releases

James Kennedy GC Remembered

January 16, 2018

On 21 December, the short life of a brave man, James Stirratt Topping Kennedy GC, was celebrated with the unveiling of a commemorative Railway Heritage Trust plaque at the exact site where he lost his life, doing his duty, forty four years ago.

  • James Kennedy's daughters beside the plaque in memory of their father

  • James Kennedy GC

Family members, former colleagues, representatives of The Railway Heritage Trust, Scottish Parliament, ScotRail, the SMT and Unite Trades Unions and senior management of Knorr-Bremse RailServices, all gathered at the Knorr-Bremse RailServices Springburn facility in Glasgow, to witness Eva Bolander, Lord Provost of Glasgow unveil the plaque.

Born in Carmunnock, Glasgow, on 11 September 1930, Mr Kennedy GC did his national service in the RAF and then spent time working in London, before returning home to Glasgow. He found work as a security officer with British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) at St Rollox, as the works was then known, and married in 1964. He and his wife, Mary had three daughters.

In the early hours of 21 December 1973, six armed men attacked security guards moving the pre-Christmas payroll, destined for BREL workers, from the administrative block to various pay-out points. During the robbery, two guards received wounds from a sawn-off shotgun. The robbers then moved off towards the main gate where Mr Kennedy GC was the security officer on duty. He knew very well the criminals were armed but nevertheless still stood his ground in the gateway, trying to prevent them from escaping. He tackled the first robber and successfully managed to detain him. However, the other robbers overwhelmed Mr Kennedy GC, repeatedly hitting him with the barrels of their shotguns and freeing their accomplice. The robbers then climbed into a van, driven into position for the get-away. Mr Kennedy GC, now with serious head injuries, rallied himself and ran towards the van trying to stop it. Two shots, fired from the passenger window, killed Mr Kennedy GC; he was only 43 years old. All of the criminals were subsequently apprehended and all received life sentences.

The award of a posthumous George Cross, the highest civilian honour for bravery, was announced on 15 August 1975. The citation included the words; ‘Mr Kennedy displayed exceptional gallantry and devotion to duty in circumstances of extreme danger. He showed no regard for his personal safety in the face of armed and ruthless criminals.’ The medal was presented to his widow, Mary, and their daughters, by Her Majesty the Queen, in November 1975. Mr Kennedy GC also received the Glasgow Corporation Medal for Bravery and had a BR locomotive and a street in Glasgow named after him.

Commenting on the dedication of the remembrance plaque Andy Savage of The Railway Heritage Trust said, “The Railway Heritage Trust was keen to recognise and honour this truly brave man who was struck down trying to do this duty and protect the workers’ hard earned pre-Christmas wages. The plaque is sited where Mr Kennedy GC fell and will act as a reminder of the selflessness of this man. The loco that was named after him is no longer in service and the street named after him is long gone, although the street sign is preserved at the Springburn facility, so we wanted something permanent and special. I would like to thank Knorr-Bremse RailServices who will maintain the plaque, and kindly hosted the event.”

Alex Hynes Managing Director of ScotRail Alliance said, “It’s fitting that there is now a permanent memorial to Mr Kennedy GC, and it was an honour to be there to see this unveiled in the presence of his family. On that terrible day, his only concern was for the welfare of his colleagues. Mr Kennedy GC is warmly remembered and highly regarded by all those who work in the railway industry to this day.”

Austin Wallace, General Manager of Knorr-Bremse RailServices Springburn added, “Mr Kennedy GC is still regarded as a colleague by all of us here at the Springburn facility. We have always held his memory dear but having this plaque in place, by the main gate, at the exact spot where he fell, formally recognises his bravery and will act as an enduring reminder of his sacrifice.”

Pictured: James Kennedy's daughters beside the plaque in memory of their father.

 

Eva Doppler

Tel: +49 89 3547 1498
Fax: +49 89 4444 54193
e-Mail: eva.doppler@knorr-bremse.com

Knorr-Bremse AG
Moosacher Straße 80
80809 Munich
Germany

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James Kennedy's daughters beside the plaque in memory of their father